Bracketology: Michigan State seeing 10 in NCAA tournament
When your best wins are Minnesota (twice), Michigan and Northwestern in a down year in the Big Ten Conference, you're going to find yourself firmly on the NCAA tournament bubble.
And that's exactly where the Michigan State men's basketball team sits right now. Wins against Iowa, Ohio State and Nebraska, combined with a blowout loss to Purdue, may not have provided the Spartans the cushion they hoped for to separate from the rest of the bubble teams. A win over Wisconsin on Sunday would likely ensure a bid, but only time will tell.
Having said all that, there's been very little change for Tom Izzo's squad and their tourney chances. They're basically right where they were last week with most of the Bracketologists out there. Tens for everyone!
- ESPN's Joe Lunardi has the Spartans as a 10-seed in the West, taking on South Carolina. The Spartans are in play-in game territory, but he lists MSU at the top of the "Last Four Byes" list. Lunardi's colleague Eamon Brennan writes that the Spartans have some work to do.
The Spartans' season had already been in many ways defined by injuries that their depleted young roster was unable to sustain, particularly early in the year. That unfortunate theme came full circle over the weekend. Guard Eron Harris, who had evolved into a major offensive workhorse throughout his senior campaign, suffered a knee injury in State's loss at Purdue on Saturday that will require surgery and end his season, the school announced Sunday afternoon. It's a blow for all kinds of reasons -- some having nothing to do with basketball -- and one that narrows the margin of error for a team already struggling to stay above the bubble. Just brutal.
RELATED: Izzo wants Michigan State focusing only on Nebraska, not NCAA bid
- CBSSports.com's Jerry Palm also keeps Michigan State on the 10-line, taking on Southern Methodist in the East. And based on the site's Tournament Forecaster, the Mustangs will beat the Spartans 64-61.
- USA TODAY Sports' Shelby Mast also has the Spartans as a No. 10 against South Carolina, albeit in the East. Mast doesn't have the Spartans in any of the following categories: Moving in, Moving out, On life support or No longer considered. Everything seems safe and sound.
- Like Lundardi, SB Nation's Chris Dobbertson drops the Spartans one spot from last week, slotting them as a 10-seed in the South, taking on No. 7 Saint Mary's, which is unchanged from last week.
The Big Ten matches the Big East’s total of seven bids. While Northwestern gutted out a home win over Rutgers, Michigan State suffered a double setback. Not only did the Spartans get blown out at Purdue, but they lost Eron Harris to a nasty knee injury in the defeat. That’s not good news for a squad that’s struggled even with all of its key producers available. On Sunday night, Michigan dropped an overtime decision at Minnesota but that result didn’t damage the Wolverines’ hopes much — while the Golden Gophers are nearing lock status after five straight wins.
- Newsday groups Michigan State with Seton Hall, Kansas State and VCU as a 10-seed.
- Based on everything you read above, you won't be surprised that bracketmatrix.com, which is a composite of every Bracketology site, has Michigan State on the 10-line with Wichita State, Michigan and Kansas State.
- If anything, this write-up is a speculative story, so let's visit a sports predictions and data website (fine, betting site) to see how they view the Spartans' chances. Teamrankings.com has the Spartans as a 12-seed in a play-in game, with a 71 percent chance to make the tournament.
- Collegesportsmadness.com says Michigan State's a 9-seed playing Iowa State.
- Some more love for Michigan State on the 9-line from Stewart Mandel of FoxSports.com, playing Dayton in the 8-9 game in the South. The 1-seed in the pod? Baylor, which already beat the Spartans 73-58 earlier this season.
Follow digital sports producer Phil Friend on Twitter @Phil_Friend.